Two PhD Positions, Photoionization Processes and Chiral Recognition Dynamics, CELIA, Bordeaux, France (Deadline: 09.08.2025)

PhD Proposal 1: Exploring Chiral Recognition Dynamics 

This position is part of an international theoretical–experimental project focused on the dynamics of chiral recognition and will be carried out in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). 

Chiral molecules—essential to biological systems—exist as enantiomeric pairs, meaning they are non-superimposable mirror images that interact differently with chiral environments such as biological receptors. Although this phenomenon is widely exploited in pharmacology, the fundamental mechanisms of chiral recognition remain poorly understood. 

This project aims to investigate these mechanisms from a fundamental and theoretical perspective by studying the dissociation dynamics of chiral dimers bonded via hydrogen interactions. We will explore light-induced dissociative excitation and ionization processes, characterizing chiral recognition by analysing photoelectron angular distributions as a function of intermolecular distance. The goal is to determine the critical distance at which enantiomers begin to recognize each other. 

Theoretical work will be conducted in close collaboration with V. Wanie and colleagues at DESY (Hamburg), who will perform complementary experimental measurements. 

PhD Proposal 2: Influence of Orbital Angular Momentum of Light on Photoionization Processes 

This project focuses on the theoretical study of photoionization processes driven by structured light beams, particularly optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). 

Chiral molecules, key components of biological matter, exist as left- and right-handed enantiomers. These enantiomers interact differently with chiral environments—an effect exploited in circular dichroism and in photoelectron angular distributions resulting from ionization by circularly polarized light. 

While traditional chiral discrimination relies on photons carrying spin angular momentum (s = ±ℏ), light beams with orbital angular momentum (ℓ = ±nℏ)—also known as helical beams or optical vortices—have recently been shown to alter ionization probabilities in atoms and molecules [L. Bégin et al., Nat. Commun. 16, 2467 (2025)]. 

This PhD project aims to explore how OAM can enhance enantiomeric discrimination via momentum exchange in light–matter interactions. The work will begin with achiral targets under various ionization regimes (one-photon, multiphoton, and strong-field), progressing to chiral systems and analysing the resulting photoelectron angular distributions. Theoretical predictions will be compared with ongoing experiments at CELIA, involving tailored ionizing light pulses. 

Candidate Profile 

Applicants should ideally have a background in atomic and molecular physics, with a strong interest in light–matter interactions. 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact: 

For more information about the CELIA laboratory, visit: www.celia.u-bordeaux.fr